Should You Retain Your Married Name Following Divorce?

Should You Retain Your Married Name Following Divorce?

Posted By
Dean Kantaras

Getting married means that your life changes in many ways. You share a
home and property with your spouse, make decisions together and may even
take your spouse’s last name. In the event that you get a divorce,
it can be difficult to undo all of these lifestyle adjustments you made
for one another. One decision you must make is whether or not you wish
to retain your former spouse’s surname.

Although a shared last name signifies the bond you and your spouse share,
it also has practical implications. You may have property and accounts
in this name, and your children may also have the surname of your former
partner. If you’re a professional, many people may know you by this
last name. Even so, many individuals wish to change their name as part
of an effort to get a truly fresh start on life after a divorce.

The good news is that the state of Florida allows individuals to make this
choice based on their circumstances. If you wish to keep your married
name, you don’t need to do anything — you can continue on
your day-to-day life with your current surname. If you would like to change
your last name, however, the best time to do it is while you’re
engaged in the divorce process. You may seek a court order to make the
change back to your former surname, to take effect once the divorce is
finalized.

Waiting until later on will mean you’ll have to file a new petition,
which may come with additional court fees. Thus, the most efficient way
to approach this issue is to do it all at once.

For further information on guidance on various issues related to Florida
divorce, meet with an experienced family law attorney at the Law Office
of K. Dean Kantaras today.